New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. — nps.gov
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve at a glance
- State
- West Virginia
- Established
- December 27, 2020
- Size
- 72,405 acres
- 2025 visits
- 1,958,440
- Busiest-park rank
- #17 of 63
- Entrance
- Free entry
Best time to visit
When is New River Gorge quiet?
New River Gorge is busiest in July and quietest in January. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, September is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 1,958,440 recreation visits, the #17 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is New River Gorge open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: JanuaryBusiest: July
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit New River Gorge
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve charges no entrance fee.
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in New River Gorge
- Hike the Grandview Rim Trail0-2 Hours · All year
Hike the Grandview Rim Trail
Pets OK - View the Overlooks at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center0-30 Minutes · All year
Canyon Rim Visitor Center overlooks for the New River Gorge Bridge and the New River Gorge
Pets OK - Brooks Overlook5 Minutes · All year
Brooks Overlook is a favorite viewing spot for visitors and locals. There is a pair of Bald eagles that reside, year round, on Brooks Island and catching a glimpse of them is sure to spark delight.
Pets OK - Sandstone Falls Overlook10 Minutes · All year
Wildlife Observation Nature Observation
Pets OK - Grandview Main Overlook15 Minutes · All year
The Grandview Main Overlook is located about two football fields in distance from the parking area near the Grandview Visitor Center. There is a kiosk that is a triangular shaped structure with maps and information and…
Pets OK - Castle Rock Hike30-120 Minutes · All year
Amazing hike that brings you right next to the layers of rocks that make-up the gorge. The trail is uneven and requires some scrambling over some of the rock obstacles. The steps are made up of rocks and can be super…
Pets OK - Stroll on the Sandstone Boardwalk30 Minutes · All year
Stroll along the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk.
Pets OK - Trail Run or hike the Little Laurel Trail30-120 Minutes · All year
The 4.0 mile roundtrip trail run or hike is strenuous. The terrain is crushed rock for most of the trail, but there are a few areas that the terrain can be a bit uneven. If you start at the trailhead in the Grandview…
Pets OK
Show all 16 things to doShow fewer
- Scenic Drive on Fayette Station Road45 Minutes · Spring, Summer, FallPets OK
- Trail run at Endless Wall60-120 Minutes · All yearPets OK
- Bicycling at New River GorgeAll yearPets OK
- Pets OK
- Pets OK
- Hunting in the ParkWinter, FallPets OK
- Pets OK
- Whitewater BoatingSpring, Summer, Fall
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Arts and Culture26
- Astronomy44
- Auto and ATV33
- Backcountry Camping51
- Backcountry Hiking43
- Biking44
- Birdwatching48
- Boating27
- Camping60
- Canoe or Kayak Camping20
- Canoeing19
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Climbing26
- Fishing41
- Fly Fishing15
- Food46
- Freshwater Fishing19
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Group Camping33
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Horse Trekking32
- Horseback Riding25
- Hunting9
- Hunting and Gathering11
- Kayaking23
- Mountain Biking7
- Museum Exhibits36
- Paddling32
- Picnicking34
- Playground2
- Road Biking25
- Rock Climbing15
- RV Camping28
- Scenic Driving30
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto19
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking22
- Stand Up Paddleboarding12
- Theater1
- Whitewater Rafting7
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at New River Gorge
Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to New River Gorge
To reach Park Headquarters take Route 19 North from Beckley to the Glen Jean exit. Upon exiting Rt 19, make an immediate left turn. At the next intersection, turn right. Park Headquarters will be straight ahead on the right. GPS Coordinates for Headquarters: 81.15587W, 37.92775N PLEASE NOTE: Third party search and map apps may direct you to an potentially inaccessible area of the park with no amenities or rangers stations.
Please refer to the Visitor Center or Park Headquarters addresses for directions.
104 Main Street, Glen Jean, WV, 25846 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near New River Gorge
- Shenandoah National Park144 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park209 mi~5 h drive (est.)
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park236 mi~6 h drive (est.)
- Congaree National Park282 mi~7 h drive (est.)
- Mammoth Cave National Park285 mi~7 h drive (est.)
- Indiana Dunes National Park415 mi~10 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Columbus (181 mi) · Charlotte (184 mi) · Pittsburgh (186 mi) · Raleigh (192 mi)
Road trip
Cuyahoga Valley, New River Gorge & Shenandoah
3 parks, about 380 miles between them (~9 h of driving, estimated).
New River Gorge is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
FAQ
New River Gorge, quickly
- When is the best time to visit New River Gorge National Park & Preserve?
- If you want fewer people, go in September, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit New River Gorge National Park & Preserve?
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.
- Do you need a reservation for New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve?
- The National Park Service lists 16 things to do in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, including Hike the Grandview Rim Trail, View the Overlooks at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, Brooks Overlook, Sandstone Falls Overlook, Grandview Main Overlook. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did New River Gorge National Park & Preserve become a national park?
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve was established as a national park on December 27, 2020.
- What is the closest national park to New River Gorge?
- Shenandoah National Park, about 144 miles away in a straight line (roughly 3 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/neri.
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